Description
MARSHMALLOW(ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS)A perennial herbal plant. The stems are strong, 3 to 4 ft. and simple. Some of them have a few lateral branches. The flowers bloom in August and September. Marshmallow leaf and root are commonly used to treat stomach ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, swelling of the stomach lining, and pain.Planting instructions: Place the seeds in damp sand or peat and put them all together in a zipper sealed bag. Seal it up well and allow the bag to sit undisturbed for 24 hours. This will allow the seeds to swell. Then place the bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. Check the seeds for signs of growth after a month. When you notice germination, remove the seeds from the fridge and plant them in pots in prepared soil. Keep the soil evenly moist by covering the pots with a plastic dome to keep them from evaporating. Once the plants have grown two sets of true leaves, you can plant them out in their permanent location. Remember to harden them off, if you’ve been growing them in the house, to avoid transplant shock. If you’ve been growing them in an unheated greenhouse, they should be sufficiently acclimatized. Plant the seedlings 1 foot apart in rows at the back of a perennial bed. Mulch well to discourage weeds and hold in soil moisture. Keep well watered and well weeded the first year to allow them to become established. You can begin harvesting roots in the 2nd fall after a spring planting.
